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What if… it was easier to talk about legacies?

24 May 2011

Legacy Workshops: A Progress Report
Since June we have run legacy workshops at six venues across the diocese. We have presented to 106 representatives from 88 churches in 23 deaneries. These are some of things people have said:
“I really enjoyed the evening and got so much from it. We have needed to look at legacies for so long”
Treasurer from Berkshire
“My wife came back from your workshop and was so thrilled that she didn’t stop talking about it for an hour!”
Churchwarden from Buckinghamshire
I have heard from a number of our churches how helpful they found the workshop. Thank you.”
Area Dean from Oxfordshire
Benefits
A legacy can make a very real difference to the work of our churches, providing, for example:
  • work amongst local young people,
  • outreach to older or isolated residents,
  • a new heating or lighting system. 
Context
Each year approx. 170 people across our diocese leave gifts in their Wills to support the work of their local church. And yet only 20-30 years ago this number was around 4-5 times greater. 
During the intervening period larger national and international charities have discovered how to encourage people in legacy giving. Meanwhile, a large proportion of our churches have stopped promoting this significant way to resource their mission and ministry
20 years ago 40% of UK citizens died without leaving a Will. In 2010 this figure had only gone down by 2% to 38% -- still more than one third of the adult population. 
A presentation given by
Alison Knight,Christian Aid’s Regional Legacy Officer
 
Opportunity
To help your church review or renew your promotion of legacy giving, we are offering you the chance to hear from Alison Knight (Christian Aid) and Robin Brunner-Ellis (Oxford Diocese) who have wide experience of legacy promotion. From September to November 2011 you will have the opportunity to learn more about legacies:
  • how to plan for them,
  • whom to approach,
  • how to approach them and what to say.
Each Legacy Workshop gives you time to ask questions on how you might promote legacy giving in your church and communities.
WORKSHOP VENUES: 7.50 – 9.30pm
1 Sept    St Nicolas’ Church Hall, Newbury, Berks          RG14 5HG
21 Sept St Mary’s church hall, Twyford,Berks               RG10 9NT
26 Sept  St Mary’s church, Charlbury, Oxon                     OX7 3PX
4 Oct      St Mary’s church, Burghfield, Berks                      RG30 3TG
9 Nov    St Michael’s church, Tilehurst, Berks                  RG30 4JX
22 Nov  SS Peter & Paul church hall, Olney, Bucks         MK46 4AA
To book a place, please leave your full name, contact details and church with:

Carolyn Main, Diocesan Church House,
Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0NB.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: (01865) 208 257

Resources

Download Powerpoint Presentation (Updated July 2011)

How to… Make a PCC Legacy Policy

Parish Magazine Articles

  1. Where there’s a Will, there’s a way to spread the Gospel
  2. Why every Christian needs a will
  3. Why Review Your Will?

Preaching about legacies

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